Last Days Here - It's A Long Way Back from Hell

10 is a high rating, I know. It's worthy not only because this film is simply a great documentary film, but a great film in general with stand- out, staying potential. Albeit, if only at a cult level. It's absolutely possible that in the near future this film will be used as a tool at drug rehabilitation centers, music business schools, inspiration seminars and pot parties alike. The people close to the band and drawn to it's music that appear in the film have an interesting charm but not close to it's two main subject's, the cartoon-ish, scary, lovable Bobby Liebling and the equal knock out of the piece, passionate manager, Sean "Pellet" Pelletier. It's fitting the majority of the film is set in Pellet's native Philadelphia as he emits the true blue, battered, underdog ethic of the city's most beloved, fictitious native, Rocky Balboa. In this regard, so does it's main character , Liebling who's demons affect both men in different ways. There is also more at stake here than a music career, it's life itself for one. It's the career of another. And all of this mind you, stemming from the essential, newly uncovered, proto-heavy metal songs Liebling wrote between '70 and '74. It's a surprising, sincere portrayal of faith and friendship that lurks below the dusty covers of hard rock, hard love and hard drugs. It's brutally honest but manages to soften the blow by delivering the story mainly through the endearing eyes of Pelletier. The film makers manage you get the viewer inside the man's heart which creates your own desire to see Liebling conquer his demons. I'm not saying you won't cringe at times, it's an essential ingredient when having to express the magnitude of certain essential factors in the film. Whether they be positive or negative in nature, they're strong and must be visibly displayed as such. I loved this film because it's a testament that true love empowers and prevails even in the most unsuspecting places. Here, it's displayed by the relationships a rusty metal God has with a caring fan as well as with a beautiful, wide-eyed, naive, sincere stranger. The appearance of Liebling's parents is another treat. Charming and truthful, they explain the brilliance that led to both the successes and downfalls of a rock icon that was never uncovered. At least not until Pelletier hunted him down and handed him a deal to release some of his old songs. It's a story of recovery of lost music and of lost life. This recovery came from a d.i.y ethic delivered within the characters in the film as well as from director's Don Argott and Demian Fenton. Heavy Metal musician's themselves, the story has an essence of empathy and sincerity not often felt in documentaries this blunt and with stakes this dire. Oh, and then there is the music...classy, hard rock delivered with the mystique of a Hammer Horror film. If the thought of heavy metal makes you cringe, do not worry. The band's songs that are strewn through out are subtle and work well to energize the piece. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

It's 2022 and I randomly came upon upon this documentary and hit play without actually knowing what it was about The minute he pulled that Pentagram album I stood up , I was standing there 4 feet from the television for most of this. The year was 1983ish for me, I had access to albums , my parents being collectors, my dad being a DJ and my uncle in the entertainment industry . Metal however, was my passion and happening upon this very record changed the course of my endeavors . Up to that point I had the sense that good music would certainly be found in the studio or in the massive collection in our home. At the time rap and metal were newer , still ,in retrospect a decent amount came through out household . Sitting there, listening to my record haul that day , I had a very deep sense of the world being unfair and was more upset than excited to learn that there was music out there beyond what was accessible ( even to me) much of the documentary tells a story of what could have been the collective experiences of a generation however this individual.... Typically I keep my reviews and personal experience separate but this documentary , I .... I shouldn't give spoilers so that's it. Thank you.

I am not a fan of Pentagram, I have barely heard of them. However, I barely heard of Anthrax and thought that documentary was superb. That film was about a band soldiering on, ad midst a mostly apathetic public. This is the story of a broken wreck of a man named Bobby Liebling, someone who actually is doing drugs on film. Thankfully, he seems more coherent as the film goes on, to the point where you can understand him. Even if you think of him as a drug addled loser (this is not disrespect, watch the film), you want him to clean up and succeed. This film at first had no meaning to me, but it is the story of a second act. another chance. The best thing about the film are the interviews, as they are not with musical legends, but people who love him. You can see their frustration, but you also see the caring. I wish him well. The film is good, not in the echelon of the Anthrax and Rush documentaries, but worth watching.

Bobby is so much like me... he and Phil Anselmno are talking on this... Phil says it's Never too late. Just inspired me.

I'm not into heavy Metal music but I couldn't tear my eyes away from this. A bit like a car wreck, it's harrowing yet hopeful as we watch former Pentagram frontman Bobby Liebling battle addiction, depression, disappointment and heartbreak while attempting a late (late) career comeback. Bobby and his band actually never got a contract back in the day as he was an addict even at their beginnings.

When we join him he's living in his aged parents basement and doing crack and meth continuously. He looks ancient, skinny and close to death. One of his fans tries to help him get a new contract and kick a lifelong habit.

This is where the documentary surprised me, watching Bobby clean up and get a new (young) girlfriend and head out on the road, touring. She describes him as being developmentally stunted, and its true its like he was still living in the late 70's because he's been high for so long. There is some suspense involved as you keep wondering if he will make it or not. 04.28.14